Finding the Perfect Planner for You

Aug 30, 2017 &middot by Alyssa

Hey guys! Long time no see, but I’m back today to talk about something I am passionate about: planners. You might remember earlier this year when I posted about the LYTE planner. I have loved using that planner for the past 8 months, but it’s a new school year and I want something new! (New planner who dis). After searching for over a week, I finally feel happy with my choice. Today I am sharing with you some tips for finding the perfect planner, and sharing a planner that I think ya’ll might really love!

Do your research

If you are someone who can just write your stuff down in any old planner, then you don’t need my help. I’m sad for you though. It has taken me some time to find my perfect planner, but I think I know myself pretty well. I don’t waste time or money on planners I’m not going to use. Part of the appeal of writing things in my planner is how pretty the dang thing is! I am also particular about the inside layout though, so looks aren’t everything.

When you’re looking in the store, flip through every page, and make sure it has what you need. College students have a lot going on, so it’s important that you have plenty of space for each day. If you’re online shopping, it can be harder to get a feel for the planner. Try watching youtube videos that talk about the planner, and read reviews by other college students. Some planners just don’t hold up to college life.

If you want to see a comparison of 2017 planners done for you, check out this amazing post by Kayla Blogs! This is her third year doing this post, and she brings in a lot of popular brands and compares them and lays out the specs of each one!

Don’t be afraid to ask other people. I have honestly been that girl that asked the random student next to me where she got her planner. It was so pretty, and had the perfect layout. I just had to ask. It started up a friendly conversation, and we ended up exchanging numbers and texting each other for help with the class during the semester! Don’t be afraid to ask someone if you see something you really like!

Think about what you NEED, not just what you want

This can be hard for me to accept sometimes. In my dreams I am a super organized go-getter. In real life, I can be a bit messy and lose track of things. I also carry around a lot of stuff since I’m in class from 8-6, so a super heavy planner isn’t right for me, although I tend to gravitate towards those. As much as I love planners with lots of extra frills, like monthly reflections, meal plans, and things like that, when it comes down to it, I skip over them to get to the important stuff. Plus, I need a planner that’s totally #instaworthy. Know thyself.

Also, this one is weird but I feel it needs to be said for little freshman year me. Don’t buy a planner that you will be even slightly embarrassed to pull out in public and use. Freshman year, I bought this cute, but super nerdy Harry Potter planner. I was honestly really self-conscious about using it in public. I’d have no problem now, but back then it made me feel too young! I didn’t even carry it half the time because I wouldn’t use it in class.

Find a brand and planner you love

Once you find the perfect planner, it should be easy to just buy a new planner each year from the same brand. This makes it so much easier when you already know what you love. If you can find a small brand that you really connect with, even better. The LYTE planner brand was lovely because it was a small business. I felt connected to the woman who created the planners.

If you’re looking for something created by someone who knows your life, check out the student planner. Created by my college blogger friend, Sara, this planner does it all. She has created this amazing product for college students that really allows you to get what you need out of a planner.

First of all, her planners come in various types and layouts, so you can choose what is right for you. The best part? When you buy the planner, you get access to all the different versions she has created! I personally dislike hourly layouts, but her vertical layout is perfect for me! If you know what you like, it’s an amazing way to get the perfect planner. If you’re unsure, Sara has this amazing quiz that you can take that will point you towards the right version.

At $22, this planner is the perfect price point for college students. It’s a printable planner, so you can use your free prints at school, or print it at home! If you are like me and don’t have a printer and have to use the library, this planner still looks great in black and white, so no worries! She also has academic printables as well to help you stay organized throughout the semester, like trackers for assignments, grades, and group projects.

There is nothing better than knowing your money is going to someone who poured their heart into their product, and that is what you get with Sara. I am looking forward to using parts of her planner and academic printables this semester to stay on track!

Conclusion

So there you have it! There are so many planners out there, you are bound to find the perfect one for you! With a little bit of effort and research, you can end up with a planner that you don’t mind carrying around for the next 12-18 months.

What are your favorite planner brands? I am that person always asking random classmates where they got their planner, so I want to know about yours as well! One of the best parts of being an education major is that I will always need a planner, even when I graduate. (Am I too excited about that? Yes?) I hope this post will motivate you to go find “the one”!

I’ve tried bullet journaling as well, and enjoyed it for a while, but honestly it was too much work for me! I don’t have time to create my own layout lol. It definitely can be a struggle to find the planner that fits your needs perfectly! – Thanks for reading and commenting Megan!